"Millions of motorists are being caught by camera, often for arguably minor misdemeanours, whilst more serious and harmful behaviour goes undetected."

In relation to civil enforcement of bus lane and parking infringements, he claimed authorities should "constantly be asking themselves whether the number of notices issued suggest a different method is needed".

Martin Tett, the Local Government Association's transport spokesman, said: "Effective parking control is one of the most frequent and important demands of local residents from their councils.

"Income raised through on-street parking charges and fines is spent on running parking services and any surplus is only spent on essential transport projects, such as tackling the £12 billion roads repair backlog and creating new parking spaces."